Harput Ulu Cami

Who Had Harput Ulu Cami Built?

The exact construction date of Harput Ulu Camisi, which is established on an area of 2000 square meters in the old Cami Kebir Neighborhood in Harput, is not known for certain. However, it is accepted from the tax inscription that it was commissioned by the Harput ruler Fahrettin Karaaslan in 1156-1157. Harput Ulu Cami is one of the oldest Turkish mosques in Anatolia.

The mosque was restored in 1899, 1905, and 1996. The interior of Harput Ulu Camisi consists of three parts: the inner courtyard, the last congregation area, and the inner mosque. The mosque, whose rectangular-plan walls were built of rubble stone and whose dome arches and minaret were built of brick, has two doors.

Harput Ulu Cami Minaret

The mosque's minaret stands in a slanted form. According to some, this minaret, built with a thick body and gradually narrowing, was intentionally constructed crooked; according to others, after an earthquake the minaret turned into a crooked form. The mosque has no construction inscription. The eleven-line Arabic tax inscription embedded in a niche in the wall on the north wing of the courtyard, above the arch pier and between the pointed arch openings, states that it was commissioned in 1156-1157 by the Artukid Sultan Kararslan bin Davud bin Sökmen bin Artuk.

The inscription reads: "After the basmala, the one who had this building made in order to obtain Allah's approval and to draw near to Allah is a person who is the great Chief Commander and Emir. The Master of scholars, helped and strengthened by Almighty God, the victor of all mujahids in the world, the pride of the Religion, the finest of Muslims, the outward face of the Imams, the helper of the people and the state, the one possessing fame and honor among the people, the crown of the Ummah, the sun of property owners, the noble and honorable of Sultans, the honor of the soldiers of Islam, the helper of the mujahids, the killer of those who do not know Allah and who associate partners with Him, the one whose honor reaches from the skies, the sword of sultans, the Master of Emirs, bearing the title Father of Farmers, Karaarslan son of Davud, son of Sokman, son of Artuk. He is also the helper of the Caliph. May Allah make his sultanate, his crown and throne, and his people perpetual and everlasting. May Allah's curse be upon those who depart and turn away from Allah's path and command."

The famous outer pulpit of Harput Ulu Camisi, which was transferred to Kurşunlu Camisi and is still in use in this mosque, is a highly important work in terms of the art of wood carving.

Source: Elazığ Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, Selçuklu Mirası website

Places to Visit in Elazığ Address: Harput, 23300 Elâzığ Merkez/Elazığ